Apparatus for wrapping and tipping cigars



March 8, 1966 5. J. SILBERMAN APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING AND TIPPING CIGARS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 5, 1964 INVENTOR $44054 J /waewmv ATTORN March 8, 1966 s. J. SILBERMAN APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING AND TIPPING CIGARS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 1964 N v E N 'ro R 534M054 J 5255/61 14 M ATI'ORNEY United States Patent f 3,238,951 APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING AND TIPFING CIGARS Samuel J. diibernian, 885 Park Ave, New York, FLY. Filed Mar. 3, I964, Ser. No. 348,951 7 Claims. (ill. 131-61) The present invention relates generally to improvements in band applying and winding devices and it relates in particular to an improved apparatus for applying mouth pieces, smoking tip ends, trade bands or the like to such cylindrical bodies as cigars, small cigars of the cigarillo type and cigarettes.

In accordance with the conventional practice of producing cigars and cigarettes and applying bands or tips thereto, the cigars or cigarettes are first formed into separate units and the band or tip applied to the individual units. In addition, in cigar formation the overlapping edges of the spirally wound binder and wrapper must be cemented or glued together, While in forming cigarettes the overlapped longitudinal edges of the cigarette paper must be cemented or otherwise glued together. These procedures possess many drawbacks and disadvantages. They are highly inetficient and uneconomical and hence significantly increase the cost of the end product. In addition, the equipment employed in applying the cements or glues and these tips or bands is complex and expensive, difficult to tie into a continuous production line, subject to frequent malfunction, difficult to maintain close process control, and otherwise leaves much to be desired.

It is thus a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved winding device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved band applying apparatus.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for applying a band to a longitudinally advanced rod.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for applying longitudinally spaced circumferential bands to a continuously formed rod advancing in the direction of the length thereof.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the above nature characterized by its ruggedness, simplicity, adaptability and reliability.

The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational diagrammatic view of an apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan detail view of the improved ban-d applicator, the rod forming and advancing apparatus being diagrammatically shown;

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIGURE 4 is an end View thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of a cigar or similar object constructed according to and embodying the present invention; and

FIGURE 6 is a section on the line d d of FIGURE 1.

In a sense, the present invention contemplates the provision of a winding device comprising means for advancing a rod along an axial path and a pressure roller having a peripheral surface defined by a surface of revolution of an elliptic hyperbola about an axis canted relative to the axis of said rod whereby substantially to abut said rod along a line extending along the length and circumference of said rod. The pressure roller advantageously extends to opposite sides of the advancing rod and is of coaxially circular transverse cross section, the successive circular sections being substantially tangent to the rod at successively longitudinally and circumferentially spaced 3,238,951 Patented Mar. 8, 1966 points along the rod. The present invention also contemplates the provision of a spirally wound wrapper about the rod, the convolutions of which are not cemented or otherwise glued together.

According to a preferred form of the present apparatus, a plurality of the elliptic hyperbolic pressure rollers are provided about the periphery of an advancing rod, and both the rod and the rollers are positively driven at approximately the same peripheral speeds and in the area of tangency in a common peripheral direction. Means are provided for delivering successive precut pressure sensitive bands to the trailing bit-e between the trailing pressure roller and the rod at right angles to the rod with the pressure sensitive adherent face con-fronting the rod. The axially rotating rod, of the nature, for example, of a continuous cigar or cigarette, is advanced by the cigaror cigarette-producing machine to which the pressure rollers are synchronously coupled. A band-sensing device is located along the advancing rod forward of the band feeding device and actuates the band feeding device to deliver successive bands to the applicator at regularly spaced points along the advancing rod. The sensing device also actuates a mechanism for cutting the advancing rod forward of the band applicator at points uniformly spaced relative to the applied bands. The band applicator is advantageously in the form. of a unit containing a pair of transversely spaced canted pressure rollers of the above form supported by a common frame and delineating a free linear passageway extending between and along a path bisecting the roller axes. The pressure rollers are driven in the same direction.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly FIG- URE 1 thereof which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference numeral 10 generally designates an apparatus of any desirable type which produces a continuous rod I1, advancing the rod 11 along its length and rotating the rod about its longitudinal axis. An apparatus which may be employed to great advantage is disclosed in US. Patent No. 3,152,595 granted October 13, 1964 to Samuel J. Silberrnan. The aforesaid apparatus continuously forms a cylindrical core 12 of tobacco about which are helicaily wound superimposed inner binder and outer Wrapper layers 13 and 14- respectively, forrned of bands of sheet tobacco or the like, the overlapped edges of which need not necessarily be adhesively secured together. The resulting rod 11 emerges continuously from forming apparatus It) and advances along its length and concurrently rotates about its longitudinal axis, counterclockwise in the illustrated apparatus as viewed from the leading or right hand end of FIGURE 1.

Positioned forwardly of the output end of rod-producing apparatus it! is a rotatable advantageously positively driven pressure roller 16 having a peripheral surface 17 preferably but not necessarily formed of a resilient or elastomeric material. Roller 16 is disposed along and extends to opposite sides of advancing rod 11 and has a longitudinal axis of rotation which is canted relative to the longitudinal axis of advancing rod 11. The transverse crosssections of roller 116 are circular and the longitudinal section of the peripheral surface 17, or the intersection of the longitudinal axial plane of roller 16 and surface 17, is an outwardly concave elliptic hyperbola, that is, peripheral surface 17 is defined by the surface of revolution of a radially spaced outwardly concave elliptic hyperbola about the longitudinal axis of roller 16. The surface of roller 17, for substantially the full length thereof, substantially abuts the surface of rod 11 along a continuous line extending axially and circumferentially along the surface of the rod. Successive transverse circular sections of roller 16 are substantially tangent to correspon ingly successive sections of rod 11 and are at an angle to the longitudinal axis of rod 11. It is to be noted that the diameter of roller 16 is at a minimum at its mid point and increases towards and approaching the opposite ends of the rollers; the peripheral speed of rod 11 is approximately that of roller 16 at a point between its ends and preferably the average peripheral speed thereof.

The dimensions and angular orientations of rod 11 and roller 16 are advantageously so related that the axial rate of advance of rod 11 is substantially equal to the component in the direction of the advance of rod 11 of the peripheral speed of roller 16 at a point between the ends thereof, for example the average peripheral speed of the roller. While only one roller 16 is illustrated in FIG- URE 1 of the drawings a plurality of such rollers may be positioned along and around the rod 11. Advantageously a second roller 16 may be disposed diametrically opposite roller 16 relative to rod 11, canted in an opposite direction to delineate with the roller 16 a passageway along which rod 11 is confined.

Positioned above rod 11 and the trailing end of roller 16 is a band cut-off and feed device 18 of any conventional or well known construction which, in response to a signal, cuts off a predetermined length of a band from aroll or longer length thereof and longitudinally advances and discharges the cut band at a predetermined point. The band cut-off device 18 is fed from a continuous roll 19 of the band forming tape, the tape preferably having a coating along a face thereof of a pressure sensitive adhesive. Cutoff 18 longitudinally directs cut band 20 into the bite between rod 11 and the trailing section of roller surface 17, the adhesive-carrying face of band 20 confronting rod 11. A channel-shaped band guide 21 is disposed between cut-off device 18 and roller 16 accurately to guide the cut band 20 into the bite between rod 11 and roller surface 17 and is preferably open at its leading end to permit the sidewise movement of band 20 from guide 21.

A sensing device 22 is disposed along rod 11 forward of roller 16 an adjustable predetermined distance responsive to the presence of a band 20 at a predetermined point along advancing rod 11. Sensing device 22 may conveniently be of the photoelectric type responding to the light reflecting characteristics of band 20 as distinguished from the outer surface of rod 11. Following sensing device 22 along the path of the rod 11 is a longitudinally adjustable rod cut-off device 23 of any suitable construction which effects a transverse severence of optionally being of the reciprocating type which advances rod 11 in response to an actuating signal, device 23 with rod 11 during the cutting thereof.

Sensing device 22 produces an output signal on the registry of a band 24 therewith, and is connected to the actuating signal input terminals of band cut-off 13, and to the rod cut-off 23 to actuate these for a single cycle upon the registry of a band 20 with the sensing device 22.

In the operation of the apparatus described above, in the application of bands 20 to the ends of elongated cylindrical cigars or cigarettes to form a smoking tip thereon, sensing device 22 is longitudinally adjusted to respond to the leading edge of a band 20 on rod 11 spaced the desired length of the cigar or cigarette from the leading side edge of a band 24) awaiting delivery into the bite between the rod 11 and trailing end of the roller 16. The cut-off 23 is adjusted to effect a severance along the trailing edge of a band 20 in response to a signal from the sensing device 22, since at that point the applied tip would encircle the overlaying ends of layers 13, 14.

Upon actuation of cut-off 18 consequent to a signal from sensing device 22, a band unit 20 is severed from the supply roll and released to enter the bite between rod 11 and roller 16 at a right angle to the rod 11 and has its pressure adhesive face along its full width pressed against the outer face of the advancing rod 11. With the rolling and advancing of rod 11, the band 20 is circularly wound on the rod 11 and advanced therewith. As successive sections of the band 2! engage the rod 11, they are pressed thereon along their full widths by the pressure roller 16. The entire area of the band may be pressed on the advancing rod 11 by providing a sufiiciently large pressure roller 16 or a plurality of smaller pressure rollers. Cutolf 23 is actuated by sensing device 22 to cut rod 12 into successive band-tipped elements which may then be delivered for packaging or treating in any well known manner.

In FIGURES 2 to 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated a multiple pressure roller unit 26 embodying the present invention and which may be employed to great advantage. The roller unit 26 includes a support plate 27 along the rear and front edges of which are mounted upwardly directed rear and front bearing blocks 28 and .9 respectively, the rear bearing block 28 extending for only a minor part of the width of the base plate 27 along he right hand side thereof, as viewed in FIGURE 2, the rear left hand corner of the base plate 27 being cut off, as shown. Also, projecting upwardly from base plate 27 along the rear section of the right side edge is a bearing block 30 and along the front section of the left side edge is a bearing block 32, bearing block 30 and the rear section of bearing block 32 being in transverse alignment. Mounted on and extending inwardly from the upper rear inner border of bearing block 32 is a transversely extending bearing block 33.

A first forwardly and rearwardly longitudinally extending upper shaft 34 is suitably journalled to and between the rear and front bearing blocks 28 and 29, having its opposite ends engaging rear and front suitably vertically adjustable bearing members 36 and 37 supported in registry with corresponding apertures formed in blocks 28 and 29 respectively. A second transversely extending shaft 38 is spaced below and is at right angles to first shaft 34 and is journalled to and between side blocks 30 and 32, having its opposite ends engaging gearing bushings 39 and 40 registering with corresponding apertures formed in the bearing blocks 30 and 32 respectively. A third longitudinally extending drive shaft 41 is parallel and transversely offset relative to the first shaft 34 and is at a level between that of the first and second shafts 34 and 38. Third shaft 41 is journalled to and between the bearing blocks 29 and 33, engaging respective bearing bushings registering with corresponding apertures in the blocks 29 and 33 and projecting forwardly of the block 29.

Third shaft 41 is coupled to a drive which is synchronized with that of the apparatus producing the longitudinally advancing turning rod with which the unit 26 is associated. A pair of meshing similar gears 42 and 43 provided with coupling hubs 44 are affixed to shafts 34 and 41 respectively immediately rearwardly of the front bearing block 29. A pair of right angle meshing similar spiral gears 46 and 47 are affixed to shafts 38 and 41 respectively immediately forwardly of the bearing block 33. It should be noted that spiral gears 46 and 47 are so related that upon rotation of shaft 41 the shafts 34 and 38 rotate in a common sense when viewed from the front and from the right respectively in FIGURE 2, that is both clockwise or counter-clockwise and at the same speed.

Mounted on first shaft 34, between the gear 42 and the block 23 and rotatable therewith is a first pressure roller 43 of the nature of the pressure roller 16 previously described. The roller 48 includes an end collar 49 provided with a transverse set screw 50 permitting the affixing of roller 48 to the shaft 34 and a pressure section 51 provided with a concave outer peripheral surface 52. As is the case with roller 16, the longitudinal section of surface 52 is of elliptic hyperbolic configuration. A second pressure roller 53 of the same construction as the first pressure roller 48 is disposed below first roller 48 is mounted on and rotatable with the second shaft 38. Roller 53 includes a trailing collar 54 provided with a radial set screw permitting the locking of the roller 53 to the shaft 38, and a pressure section 56 having a peripheral surface 57 with an elliptic hyperbolic longitudinal section. The intersections of the medial and longitudinal axis of the roller pressure sections 51 and 56 respectively are in vertical alignment.

Roller unit 26 is suitably mounted immediately forwardly of an apparatus 58 which produces and rotates and advances a continuous cylindrical rod 59, such as a cigar rod or the like, the longitudinal axis of the advancing rod 59 being linear and horizontal and in a direction intersecting the angle between the longitudinal axis of roller pressure sections 51 and 56, that is at a horizontal angle of to these axes. Moreover, the longitudinal axis of the rod 59 intersects the vertical line between the intersection points of the medial longitudinal axes of roller sections 51 and 56, and the roller sections are vertically spaced so that the vertical distance between the confronting medial points of the roller surfaces 52 and 57 is approximately equal to the diameter of the rod 59. It should be noted, as earlier explained, that roller surfaces 52 and 57 are so shaped as substantially to abut the pcripheral surface of rod 59 along opposite lines extending longitudinally and circumferentially along the surface of rod 59. Furthermore, pressure rollers 48 and 53 are driven by shaft 41 in synchronism with and at a rate related to that of apparatus 58 and the pressure surfaces 52 and 57 are so shaped that the peripheral speeds of the rollers 48 and 53 are approximately that of the rod 59, and the component of the peripheral speed of rollers 48 and 53 in the direction of advance of the rod 59 is approximately equal to the rate of advance of the rod.

Roller unit 26 operates in the manner of roller 16 in applying bands to an advancing turning rod in the manner earlier described, a precut band 60 being directed into the bite between the trailing pressure surface of one of the rollers and the peripheral face of the rod 59. As in the earlier described embodiment, a sensing device, a band cut-off device and a rod cut-off device may be associated with the applicator roller unit 26.

The apparatus above-described provides an elongated substantially cylindrical cigar covered with a binder layer and with a wrapper layer, both spirally wound thereon with successive overlapped convolutions held in such relation and position and without the use of glue or other adhesive along the overlapped portions. This is a most important benefit and advantage resulting from the abovedescribed apparatus of the invention. The pressure of the filler tobacco within and against the binder and wrapper covering aids in maintaining the spirally overlapped relation of the successive convolutions, and the assembly is held together by smoking tip 20 and thereby prevented from unravelling or unwinding, it being seen from the above that the innermost end portions of binder and wrapper are overlaid by the next succeeding convolution thereof, as in FIGURE 6. It is also to be understood that only a wrapper covering for the filler may be employed within the invention. The resulting binder and wrapper in the product has no glue or other adhesive, eliminating all bothersome problems of machinery for the application thereof or in overcoming the taste or other deleterious qualities involved in the use of a substance foreign to the tobacco covering for the smoking product.

It is also to be understood that smoking tip 20 may be so applied as to constrict slightly the perimeter of the cigar at the tip end, as illustrated in FIGURE 5. This permits the application to the tipped end of a conventional type of mouthpiece.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for applying a band to a rod advancing longitudinally along the length of the rod comprising a roller canted relative to the longitudinal axis of the rod 70 and having in an unstressed condition a concave peripheral surface of substantially elliptic hyperbolic longitudinal cross section substantially abutting said rod along a line extending along the length and circumference of said rod, and guide means for directing a band transversely of said longitudinal axis into the bite delineated by the confronting surfaces of said rod and said roller.

2. The winding device of claim 1., including means for positively rotating said roller at a peripheral speed approximately that of said rod.

3. The winding device of claim 2 wherein the component of the peripheral speed of said roller in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis is substantially equal to the speed of advance of said rod.

4. A winding device comprising a pair of transversely spaced canted rollers having in an unstressed condition confronting concave peripheral surfaces of substantially elliptic hyperbolic longitudinal cross section and delineating therebetween a free longitudinally extending passageway canted relative to said rollers and adapted to accommodate a longitudinally extending cylindrical body substantially abutting said peripheral surfaces along corresponding lines extending longitudinally and circumferentially along the peripheral surface of said body, and guide means for directing a band transversely of said longitudinal passageway into the bite between the surfaces delineated by said longitudinal extending cylindrical body and one of said canted rollers.

5. The winding device of claim 4 including means for rotating said rollers at substantially the same peripheral speed.

6. The winding device of claim 5 wherein the longitudinal components of said peripheral speeds are substantially the same.

7. A winding device comprising a longitudinally extending first horizontal shaft, a transversely extending second horizontal shaft located below said first shaft, a first roller coaxially mounted on said first shaft and r0- tatable therewith and having in an unstressed condition concave peripheral surface of substantially elliptical hyperbolic longitudinal cross section, a second roller of substantially the same configuration as said first roller disposed below and spaced from said first roller and coaxially mounted on said second shaft and rotatable therewith, said roller peripheral surfaces confronting each other and delineating therebewteen a free horizontal passageway extending at about 45 to the longitudinal axes of said rollers and adapted to accommodate a cylindrical body along said passageway substantially abutting said roller peripheral surfaces along lines extending longitudinally and circumferentially along the peripheral surface of said body, and guide means for directing a band transversely of said longitudinal passageway into the bite between the surfaces delineated by said longitudinal extending cylindrical body and one of said canted rollers.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 168,310 9/1875 Wilcox et al. 131-11 873,014 12/1907 Boucher 131-61 1,761,713 6/1930 Eyster 131-11 1,969,834 8/1934 Berriman 131-11 2,004,461 6/1935 Bunker 131-61 2,130,729 9/1938 Burns. 2,652,877 9/1953 Travis 214-339 X 3,058,474 10/1962 Banning 131-59 FOREIGN PATENTS 856,082 12/1960 Great Britain.

935,141 8/1963 Great Britain.

134,784 3/1952 Sweden.

SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A BAND TO A ROD ADVANCING LONGITUDINALLY ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE ROD COMPRISING A ROLLER CANTED RELATIVE TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE ROD AND HAVING IN AN UNSTRESSED CONDITION A CONCAVE PERIPHERAL SURFACE OF SUBSTANTIALLY ELLIPTIC HYPERBOLIC LONGITUDINAL CROSS SECTION SUBSTANTIALLY ABUTTING SAID ROD ALONG A LINE EXTENDING ALONG THE LENGTH AND CIRCUMFERENCE OF SAID ROD, AND GUIDE MEANS FOR DIRECTING A BAND TRANSVERSELY OF SAID LONGITUDINAL AXIS INTO THE BITE DELINEATED BY THE CONFRONTING SURFACES OF SAID ROD AND SAID ROLLER. 